According to the organizers, the competition tests the ability of the nominated cities to re-imagine themselves. The 25 cities have succeeded in exhibiting a sustained and growing commitment to development.

The competition is sponsored by Citigroup in partnership with the Urban Land Institute. It recognises places where people, passion and ingenuity are shaping efforts to build sustainable and liveable cities.

“The Urban Land Institute used selected criteria to identify the initial 200 most innovative cities. The list was then narrowed down to 25 cities after an online vote by the general public and readers of the Wall Street Journal,” De Lille said.

The competition is now in its second phase, in which all 25 cities compete for a place on the shortlist of three finalists. The three cities with the highest number of votes will be announced at the Wall Street Journal Magazine Innovator of the Year Awards on October 18.

Thereafter, voting will resume until December 31, 2012 to determine the winning city, which will be announced in the Wall Street Journal Magazine early next year.